“I haven’t had this much fun in a while,” I smiled at Ryan as we walked hand-in-hand around the venue.
“The fun isn’t over yet. You still get to see my fabulous ass up on stage.”
“I can’t wait,” I said as I kissed him on the cheek.
“So, I know you probably don’t want to talk about it, but how are you feeling after the Cleo thing?”
“I don’t know. It hurts, obviously, but I don’t understand what could have made her so angry. I thought out of anyone, she would be the one person to support me, but I guess I was wrong.”
“Maybe you should go to her set later to talk to her about it.”
“Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“Yes. She wouldn’t have told you what time your band was performing if she didn’t want you to come. I think something might be up with her.”
“You may be right,” I sighed.
“But, we still have quite a couple hours before we have to deal with that. Now come on, we’ve got to get to the Kia Soul Stage before the fans block us off.”
“Okay, lead the way.”

---

“Hey, Kayla! Long time no see,” Ronnie smiled as he passed me backstage.
“Hi Ronnie. It’s good to see you,” I replied.
A tan girl with short black hair and perfect curves came up next to Ronnie.
“Oh, Kay, this is my girlfriend, Jenna. Jenna, this is Ryan’s girlfriend, Kay.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” I smiled, offering my hand to her.
“Nice to meet you too,” she said, shaking my hand.
“Hey, wait a second. You’re that girl from Southern Charm, aren’t you?”
“Haha, yeah I am.”
“You’re my favourite person on that show. You also have the best fashion sense.”
“I like this girl,” Jenna said, turning to Ronnie, “Ryan must have really good taste in women. She’s cute too.”
“Talking about my girl, are you?” Ryan chuckled as he came up from behind me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
“We were. It looks like you’ve got yourself a keeper,” Jenna said.
“Oh, I know.”
I blushed and looked down at my feet.
“Falling in Reverse! Get on stage!” Kenny yelled.
The guys all got into a single-file line and ran on stage.
Jenna and I admired our boyfriends from backstage, occasionally laughing at the over-obsessive fangirls in the crowd.
“Kay?” someone from behind me asked.
I turned and nearly puked. Brian was staring at me, his eyes ablaze with anger and his hands balled into tight fists.
“Hey, Brian,” I gulped.
“You two know each other?” Jenna asked.
“Yeah, we do. Kay’s my little sister. If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to have a little alone time with her,” he growled.
Jenna looked to me with a raised eyebrow.
“I’ll be fine,” I said.
She gave me a small smile and moved to the other side of the stage.
“You vanished off the face of the earth. You left me here to answer all of the questions about your ‘situation.’ I hate Alex, but I’ve even felt bad for him these last few weeks.”
“W-why do you feel bad for him?” I asked.
“He’s gone off the deep end. He may be able to pull himself together for performances, but I see him around the venue and he looks like shit. Jack, Rian and Zack have come to me saying how they’ll come back from partying and just hear Alex crying or having one of his multiple panic attacks. He’s been drinking way more than usual and he’s lost about twenty pounds.Your leaving completely ruined him.”
“I-I thought he c-could handle it,” I whimpered.
“Well he couldn’t. The only reason I stayed together was that I knew you could take care of yourself. Alex, as much as I hate to admit it, really loved you in a way even I can’t understand. But regardless of that, I came here to ask a really important question.”
“What question?”
“Kellin came to me earlier today and told me that he ran into you and Ryan. First off, are you dating?”
“Yes. I am dating Ryan.”
“Okay...Well, secondly, he told me something I had to hear for myself. Kay, are you pregnant?”
“I-I….yes,” I whispered.
Brian buried his face in his hands and took a deep breath.
“Is it Ryan’s?”
“No,” I choked.
“Alex?”
I nodded and started to cry. Brian wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.
“Brian, I’m sorry. It wasn’t supposed to happen. I’m so so sorry.”
“It’s okay, Kay. Does Alex know? Is that why he’s so upset?”
“He doesn’t know. I haven’t spoken to him since I left. He can’t know.”
“You’ll have to tell him. He has the right to know.”
“I can’t. If he finds out, he’ll hate me.”
Brian stayed silent.
“I’m sorry I left. I shouldn’t have, but now that I’ve made my decision, I can’t come back.”
“I understand. Kay, I just want you to know that I don’t hate you. I love you more than anything and I just want you to happy. Whatever you need, I’ll give it. I’m here to support you.”
“Thank you, Brian. I didn’t think I’d ever hear you say that after the whole thing with Alex and I.”
“Neither did I.”

---

My stomach churned as I slowly made my way backstage to Forever Eternal’s set.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I mumbled to Ryan.
“You can. What’s the worst that could happen? Besides, I think it’s best for everyone if everything is out in the open. They are your band after all.”
“You’re right,” I sighed.
I snuck up behind Cleo and tapped on her shoulder.
“Kay? You actually came?” she asked.
“Yeah. I figured there was probably a reason you’re so pissed off at me.”
“I’m sorry, I just got really hormonal and all.”
“Your time of the month?”
“No. Pregnant.”
“Oh my god. Are you serious?”
“Deadly serious. I shouldn’t have gotten so pissed off at you, but the fact that both of us got knocked up kinda shook me. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I knew you didn’t want this for yourself and me being a bit bitchy doesn’t help.”
“It’s okay. I understand. Now get on stage, I wanna see my favourite cousin perform her ass off,” I grinned.

---

“I’m so tired,” I moaned as I crawled into Ryan’s bunk.
“Then go to sleep,” Ryan laughed.
“But I don’t wanna,” I pouted.
“Why not?” Ryan asked, crawling into the bed with me.
“Because there are other things I want to do.”
“Like?”
“Well…” I smirked.
I rolled on top of him and leaned over his face. I stared into his eyes and kissed him. His arms wrapped around me and I melted into him completely. I had a slight nagging voice in my head asking ‘What about Alex?’ but I shoved it aside.
“I love you, Kayla,” Ryan moaned against my lips.
“I love you, too,” I whispered back.
And with that I gave myself over to him, regardless of whatever consequences were to come.

Notes